§451. Medicaid reimbursement; midwifery services

            A. The legislature hereby finds and affirms all of the following:

            (1) Midwives are community-based practitioners who provide comprehensive, holistic, individualized maternity care and alternative birthing services to low-risk clients.

            (2) Midwifery care is family-centered and individualized to consider the unique cultural, ethnic, psychosocial, nutritional, and educational needs of the client and supports healthy lifestyle habits that benefit the whole family.

            (3) Midwives have made a tremendous contribution to the health and welfare of mothers, and the practice of midwifery continues to advance as a profession as these providers comprise an increasing part of mainstream health care.

            B. The Louisiana Department of Health shall implement a Medicaid reimbursement rate for midwifery services that is, at a minimum, ninety-five percent of the amount reimbursed to licensed physicians for the provision of the same health services in pregnancy and childbirth when acting within their scope of practice.

            C. For purposes of this Section, "midwife" means a licensed midwife licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners pursuant to R.S. 37:3240 et seq. or a certified nurse midwife licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing pursuant to R.S. 37:913.

            D.(1) The midwife shall be enrolled as a Medicaid provider and be a managed care organization network or a fee-for-service provider in the Medicaid program in order to be reimbursed in accordance with this Section.

            (2) Implementation of the reimbursement rate provided for in this Section shall be subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

            (3) The Louisiana Department of Health may promulgate any rules as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

            E.(1) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a decrease in any reimbursement rate for midwife services that are reimbursed equal to the amount reimbursed to licensed physicians.

            (2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to expand, diminish, or alter the scope of practice of a midwife.

            (3) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require the Medicaid program to cover any specific healthcare service.

            Acts 2023, No. 207, §1.